Re:Lighting HQI Compact Lighting

[chefzif]

I am getting ready to change my metal halide bulbs and I presently have 2 10k 150's and I want to know if I replace with 20k 150's will I have a better look on the reef tank and will the change interfear with the corals?

 

[bonebrake]

You may notice a slight difference in your corals until they adjust to the new lights, but it should not kill anything or cause any serious harm. They should adjust to the new lights within a few days. As far as color goes, it is completely personal preference. I really prefer the blue hue that 20,000 K produces and the increased coloration of corals under it, but it is your tank and your choice. 10,000 K is supposed to be crisp white, but to me it looks slightly yellowish and pales in comparison to the coloration of corals under 20,000 K.
:joy:

 

[chefzif]

Bonebrake, is the slight blue hue the only differencefrom a 10k to a 20k

 

[ninjamini]

I thought that corals grew better under 10k than 20k.

 

[cgrant]

from what i have been reading corals will grow better under 10k's than 20k's.
BUT the shimmer you get from a good 20k setup is amazing!
To say it is awsome is an understatement!
The lfs here in town has a 20k light reef tank display, 1st time i saw it my jaw dropped and im not kidding.

 

[fanker]

20k is a dark blue imo i really dont like it, and they dont grow coral as good, 10k is way better for corals to grow but i would try 14k it in between a very nice color, if it de than the phinix imo is the best but if se than hamilton is really nice

 

[cgrant]

hmmm...When i asked the lfs owner what type of lighting was in his tank and what made it shimmer so much he said it was the 20k lighting.
But it really didnt have a blue tone to it? Now i am confused again!

 

[fanker]

all mh give shimmer but its hard to see with white light because its kinda transparent but the 14k or 20k u can really see it but 20k has really low par so its not that good for corals, but do u have supplement lighting like actinic pc's or vho, or t-5s?

 

[acrylic51]

20k's will make your corals and such stand out and look alittle better, but if your after growth you won't see the same growth out of the 20k's as you would in a 10k, but it's a trade off I guess.

 

[ninjamini]

anyone done a comparo on 10k + atinic or 20k + atinic. When you add the atinic bulbs does it have the same great look?

 

[acrylic51]

What would be the point of adding 03's with a 20k? It's already as blue as you can go, but don't think you coud even compare a 10k supplemented with 03's to a 20k....they won't even look close IMO.

 

[chilwil84]

the doctors catalog has a picture comparison of different mh of different K and different manufactures wow i cant spell